They're Back! Every MasterChef Australia contestant returning in 2025.

The MasterChef Australia kitchen is opening its doors once more, and this time it's welcoming back 24 familiar faces we've all grown to love.

Season 17 — also known as MasterChef: Back To Win — is bringing together the crème de la crème of past contestants, all hoping for a second (or in some cases, third) chance at glory and that life-changing $250,000 prize money.

The impressive line-up features contestants spanning from Season 1 all the way through to last year's Season 16. They'll be cooking up a storm under the watchful eyes of our fabulous judging panel: Andy Allen, Poh Ling-Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin.

Watch the teaser for MasterChef Back To Win. Article continues after video.

And if that's not enough pressure, the contestants will kick off their comeback journey with Gordon Ramsay as their first guest judge. No room for soggy bottoms or raw chicken here, folks!

These kitchen veterans have grown enormously since they first tied up their MasterChef aprons, but will that experience be enough when the heat gets turned up? We're already clearing our schedules to find out.

Alana Lowes (Season 3).

Image: Channel 10

Since catapulting into the food industry after Season 3, Alana has literally done it all. From travelling the globe as a food and lifestyle presenter to becoming a travel writer and magazine editor, she's been living the post-MasterChef dream.

She's also added recipe developer, food stylist and photographer to her impressive résumé. And because that clearly wasn't enough, she even launched her own sauce range. Talk about kitchen goals!

Andre Ursini (Season 1).

Image: Channel 10

Remember Andre from way back in Season 1? Sixteen years on, he's returning to rediscover the passion that first brought him to our screens.

After his stint on the show, Andre opened Andre's Cucina & Polenta Bar, which became an Adelaide dining institution for a solid decade before closing its doors. But that was just the beginning — he's since launched three more successful venues (Orso, Lost Phoenix Farm and Villetta Porcini) alongside his other business ventures. The man clearly knows his way around both a kitchen and a business plan!

Audra Morrice (Season 4).

Image: Channel 10

Audra is the definition of a MasterChef success story. Now splitting her time between Sydney and Singapore, she's become an in-demand television presenter, cookbook author and catering business owner in both countries.

If that wasn't impressive enough, she's also currently a judge on MasterChef Singapore and previously sat on the judging panel for MasterChef Asia. Talk about coming full circle. This time, Audra's determined to showcase diversity and culture through her food.

Beau Cook (Season 4).

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After hanging up his MasterChef apron, Beau took up his dream job as a firefighter, proving you can save lives AND make a mean risotto.

But his love of food never disappeared. Inspired by Jamie Oliver, Beau specialises in simple food made well, using his own homegrown ingredients whenever possible. As an advocate for 're-wilding', his future food dream involves more land, a bigger veggie patch, and some animals. We're already picturing the Instagram content.

Ben Macdonald (Season 6).

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Ben returns with the same dry sense of humour and determination we all remember. In the 11 years since he first graced the MasterChef kitchen, he's run a café, a bistro and a fresh pasta delivery business in Auckland.

With significantly more culinary skills under his belt, we can't wait to see what Ben brings to the table this time around.

Callum Hann (Season 2, Season 12).

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Third time's the charm? Despite knowing the MasterChef kitchen inside out, Callum admits to feeling nervous as he prepares for his third crack at the title.

Since his last appearance, Callum has expanded his business empire by opening two new restaurants, Olive and Roma in Adelaide's CBD, joining Lou's Place in the Barossa Valley. His cooking school, Sprout, has also flourished, now offering even more classes. With cookbooks, appearances, events and media commitments, it's a wonder he has time to compete again.

Cath Collins (Season 15).

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Coming in fifth during the 2023 season wasn't the end of Cath's culinary journey – it was just the appetiser! Two years on, she's returning to the MasterChef kitchen with a refreshed mindset, fewer nerves, and a determination to actually enjoy the pressure-cooker environment this time around.

Since her first MasterChef rodeo, Cath has done what so many of us only dream about — turned her weekend passion into her full-time hustle. Goodbye spreadsheets, hello spatulas. The former banking consultant now runs Cath's Kitchen, where she hosts small, personalised cooking classes for those wanting to channel their inner MasterChef.

Darrsh Clarke (Season 16).

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While most contestants need years to recover from the MasterChef pressure cooker, Darrsh Clarke is diving straight back in — barely having unpacked his knives from Season 16.

This culinary daredevil packed up his Perth life and headed east, swapping Western Australia's pristine beaches for Melbourne's laneway cafés and hidden restaurants. The Victorian capital's renowned food scene has become his new playground, where he's soaking up inspiration faster than a freshly baked sponge absorbs syrup.

But the real kicker? He's now roomies with none other than Nat Thaipun (you know, just last year's WINNER) and fellow Season 16 alumnus David Tan.

Declan Cleary (Season 15).

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From construction sites to culinary heights! The man still knows his barramundi from his blue-eye like no one's business (and yes, seafood will absolutely make an appearance on his plates). But since his Season 15 stint, Declan's been on a mission to prove he's not just a one-trick fish pony.

Between hammering nails and filleting snapper, this hustler has somehow found time to jet around the globe as a brand ambassador, teaching cooking classes in places most of us only see on Instagram. Someone check this man's calendar app, because we're exhausted just thinking about it.

Depinder Chhibber (Season 13).

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When Depinder hung up her MasterChef apron after Season 13, she didn't just return to normal life – she turned her kitchen into a culinary empire.

The mastermind behind Ghar (that's "home" in Hindi, for those playing along), Depinder has been inviting lucky diners into intimate supper club experiences that showcase authentic Indian flavours without the eight-hour flight to Delhi.

If that wasn't impressive enough, MasterChef India came knocking in 2023, flipping the script by asking this former contestant to judge others' dishes. The student became the teacher.

Jamie Fleming (Season 6).

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Talk about manifesting your dreams. After slicing and dicing his way through Season 6, Jamie wasted no time turning TV exposure into serious hospitality cred. The proof? His Brisbane hotspot Alba Bar & Deli became a five-year success story, collecting industry awards faster than most of us collect coffee loyalty stamps. Not one to rest on his laurels, 2024 saw Jamie uncork his latest venture — Spill Wine in Maleny.

For Jamie, dishes aren't just about flavour profiles and pretty plating. Every meal tells a story, creates a memory, and builds connection. It's this emotional intelligence behind his cooking that transforms ordinary dining into something that sticks with you longer than the food baby.

Jimmy Wong (Season 8).

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Remember the Wong siblings from Season 8? While Theresa has hung up her MasterChef apron for good, brother Jimmy is back for redemption — minus his culinary partner-in-crime this time around.

Since his first MasterChef rodeo, Jimmy has flipped the script entirely, jumping from behind the stove to behind the camera. These days, you'll find him capturing drool-worthy food shots, creating content that makes you reach for your phone to order takeaway, and representing culinary brands with the same enthusiasm he once applied to mystery box challenges.

Laura Sharrad (Season 6, Season 12).

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Laura is back for another shot. After twice standing in the runner-up position on Season 6 and Season 12, Laura Sharrad is hunting down that elusive winner's trophy.

Between MasterChef stints, this pasta queen has been busy transforming Adelaide's dining scene as the culinary force behind Fugazzi Bar & Dining and pasta haven Nido. The restaurants might showcase her Italian food heritage, but don't pigeonhole her — Laura's kitchen skills extend far beyond perfecting the al dente bite.

Matt Hopcraft (Season 7).

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By day, he's Dr. Hopcraft, associate professor at Melbourne University, drilling into dental research and educating future tooth doctors. By night? He's elbow-deep in pasta dough.

Since Season 7, this dentist-turned-culinary-enthusiast has moonlighted in professional kitchens, quietly mastering the art of pasta while maintaining his distinguished academic career.

Don't expect desserts from this savoury specialist — Matt's palate leans firmly toward the umami end of the spectrum. What has changed, though, is his approach to presentation. The practical professor promises more sophisticated plating and creative techniques this time around, proving you can teach an old doc new tricks.

Pete Campbell (Season 13).

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Silver medallist Pete Campbell didn't waste time moping after his Season 13 near-miss. Instead, the runner-up immediately levelled up, scoring a coveted position in legendary chef Peter Gilmore's Quay kitchen.

His culinary passport has since collected impressive stamps, including New York City pop-ups that brought his distinctive style to American foodies. These days, you'll find him crafting dishes at Sydney's trendy Poly restaurant.

Having transformed from talented home cook to legitimate industry professional, Pete's not just returning for another shot at the trophy — he's coming back to prove the judges almost made a very expensive mistake the first time around.

Rhiannon Anderson (Season 15).

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Since departing the MasterChef kitchen, Rhiannon has built her culinary brand Rhiplenish from the ground up — conducting cooking demos and collaborating with food brands while never losing her competitive edge.

Don't expect subtle flavours from this Queensland chef. Rhiannon's signature style? Southeast Asian cuisine that doesn't whisper — it shouts. Think fiery chilli, aromatic spices, and her secret weapon: finger lime that pops like culinary fireworks.

Rue Mupedzi (Season 15).

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By day, she cleans teeth — by night, she's been sharpening her culinary skills. After Season 15 saw Rue's talents overshadowed by her own self-doubt, WA's dental hygienist has been on a mission to ensure history doesn't repeat itself.

Between scaling teeth, Rue's been scaling her ambitions — catering private events, enroling in cooking courses, and systematically addressing every weakness that previously held her back. Think of it as a complete kitchen confidence makeover.

Samira El Khafir (Season 5).

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From scissors to spatulas. Season 5's bronze medallist has undergone quite the transformation since 2013. The former hairdresser and telco worker who juggled motherhood while competing has proven third place can be just the beginning.

Samira's post-MasterChef CV reads like a foodie's dream career path — café owner specialising in modern Middle Eastern flavours, cookbook author, product developer, and the brains behind a successful low-carb food range.

Sarah Todd (Season 6, Season 14).

Image: Channel 10

Following her MasterChef journey, Sarah parlayed her TV fame into international stardom — particularly in India, where she's practically achieved celebrity chef royalty status.

The fusion queen marries precise French techniques with bold Indian spices, creating a culinary love story that transcends borders. This cross-cultural magic caught the attention of India's Prime Minister himself, who officially recognised her contributions to food culture in 2023.

Between restaurant openings, cookbook writing, TV hosting, and launching her Hot Toddy sauce line, Sarah's becoming Australia's most delicious export. Her secret ingredient? Refusing to stay in just one lane of the food business highway.

Savindri Perera (Season 16).

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It's been barely a year since Sav claimed bronze in Season 16, but the former banking consultant has already flipped her career script entirely.

These days, she's running her own culinary business, bringing Sri Lankan flavours to private dining tables and catered events across Australia. Talk about a delicious career change.

But it's her impact back in Sri Lanka that might be even more impressive than her cooking. Recent visits turned into impromptu celebrity tours, with locals celebrating the woman who put their cuisine under MasterChef's spotlight.

Snezana Calic (Season 16).

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Don't expect molecular gastronomy from this Season 16 alum — Snezana cooks with soul, not science. The Serbian-Australian brings generations of Balkan food wisdom to the MasterChef kitchen, transforming childhood memories into competition-worthy plates.

Since swapping spreadsheets for chef's whites, this finance professional turned food enthusiast has been collecting professional kitchen experience, teaching cooking workshops, and developing content that bridges her two worlds.

Her most ambitious project? A cookbook capturing Mediterranean and Serbian cuisine through a contemporary lens.

Steph De Sousa (Season 11).

Image: Channel 10

While Steph may have missed the Season 11 top ten, she's arguably become one of the show's most successful alumni where it really counts — in the public's kitchens.

As the "Frugal Foodie" with a staggering three million followers, Steph has built an empire around accessible cooking that won't break the bank. Two cookbooks, her own TV show, and countless brand partnerships later, she's the walking definition of turning reality TV exposure into genuine influence.

Theo Loizou (Season 15).

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Season 15's "Bread Boy" is back, and this time the fourth-place finisher isn't vying for silver. By day, Theo still carries his electrician's tools, but his evenings have been spent gathering professional kitchen credentials to complement his natural talent.

The Greek-Australian plans to channel his Mediterranean roots more deeply this time around, promising flavours that would make his yiayia proud.

His ultimate dream? A bakery of his own — a goal that's moved from blueprint to construction phase.

Tim Bone (Season 11).

Image: Channel 10

After MasterChef, Tim transformed his Season 11 exposure into sandwich supremacy, proving comfort food can be serious business.

His mobile venture, Tim's Toasties, became such a regional Victorian sensation that 2025 saw him graduate to a permanent storefront, cementing his status as Ballarat's toasted sandwich tycoon. Each creation showcases local producers, turning humble ingredients into destination-worthy bites.

Between pressing perfect sandwiches and his presenting gig on 'Good Chef, Bad Chef', Tim returns to the MasterChef kitchen with real-world food business battle scars — and they might just give him the edge this time around.

Feature Image: Channel 10.